Abellio Greater Anglia boss relishes ‘challenges and opportunities’

Jamie Burles of Abellio Greater Anglia. (Image: Copyright Jim Varney 2010)

Jamie Burles joined Abellio Greater Anglia as the company’s managing director in April 2014.

Formerly a bid director at the parent company Abellio UK, where his experience included developing and leading franchise bids in the transport sector, Jamie also brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the rail industry to his role.

He previously served as commercial director at another of Abellio’s UK rail operations, Northern Rail, and also undertook a similar position at the train operator, Midland Mainline.

Jamie began his career in the airline industry and has also worked in consumer electricals and healthcare.

Having worked in a number of sectors, he says, meeting customers’ expectations of the service Abellio provides whether that is prior to travel through the various channels that people engage with the company to book tickets, or during their actual travel experience is “extremely important” to him.

He said: “Working in other sectors, as well as in the rail and transport industries, has helped me in adopting an approach where everything really does revolve around the customer and the people who work in the industry delivering the service, day-in, day-out.”

Given the importance of the rail sector to the prosperity of the region and projections that demand for rail travel in East Anglia is set to continue to grow, Jamie says his role brings “lots of challenges but with that come lots of opportunities”.

He continued: “Our focus has been to work with all the key stakeholders including Government to make a positive case for the long overdue upgrades to the region’s rail infrastructure and investment that is needed for example, in new trains. We have made good progress in securing commitments and these important areas for improvement will help to shape the basis of the next long contract - due to commence in October next year - for the Greater Anglia franchise.”

While Jamie is reluctant to go into too much detail as Abellio Greater Anglia develops its plans for the bid submission over the next few months, he concedes that key areas that must be addressed are the challenges around capacity and the need to meet passengers’ demands for new, more modern and faster trains.

He added: “And it is not just about the desire we have to improve the Great Eastern Mainline through Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. Our West Anglia route is equally important, including how we can work with partners to improve that corridor and the service to Stansted Airport.”

When asked what achievements he is particularly proud of as head of Abellio Greater Anglia Jamie points to the investment the company has committed to the service.

“I am pleased and proud that we are currently investing over £30 million during our current contract to improve the consistency of our service delivery and raise customer standards, including the upgrade and refresh programme for our Mark III intercity carriages which is well underway and has been welcomed by our customers,” he said.

“I am also pleased that we are playing our part in innovation through the development of new and more flexible ticket products for example. Investing in our station portfolio is also key and we are making progress in upgrading facilities, and ticket selling systems.”

He continued: “I also recognise what a vital link the Great Eastern Mainline is for the people of Suffolk and north Essex and elsewhere in our region and although we are operating to a short franchise contract, I assure all of our customers of my ongoing desire and commitment and that of the entire Abellio Greater Anglia team to do all we can to deliver a better, more consistent and reliable train service.

“We do have much more to do to meet our customers’ expectations but the investment, focus and effort is in place and we are determined to get there.”